Charlotte County proposes e-bike safety laws after recent collisions

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. —

A woman riding an e-bike was airlifted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital after colliding with a car in the parking lot of the Knights Inn in Charlotte County on Christmas night, prompting county leaders to propose new safety regulations for e-bikes.

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office reported that the woman was riding her e-bike in a parking lot along U.S. 41 and Westchester Boulevard when the crash occurred.

Jason Angel, a Charlotte County resident, shared his concerns about road safety, saying, "I've been almost hit twice crossing the road. People just turn in front of you and don't look up to you. So, they look at you like it's my fault."

Angel avoids riding on main roads due to the dangers posed by traffic and distracted drivers. "I don't ride personally on the main roads of 41 or any main road because of the simple fact of traffic being on cellphones and anything else," he said.

Commissioners noted that two e-bike riders have died in the county this year, with one fatality in September and another in October. From June through September, there were 28 crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians.

County leaders are considering an ordinance focused on regulating behavior rather than the e-bikes themselves. "We need to regulate behavior rather than regulating machines. We will never keep up with technology. Technology is already changing, which is a good thing. We want to promote safety and courtesy," they said.

The proposed ordinance would allow e-bikes to ride on sidewalks and multiuse paths at a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. Riders would be required to yield at crosswalks at night, and helmets would be mandatory for children under 16. On roadways, e-bikes would follow the same rules as cars, including speed limits, lights and traffic laws. E-bikes would not be allowed on trails, greenways or greenbelts, except for law enforcement and utility work.

Pierce Hesler, another rider, emphasized the importance of basic safety measures, saying, "Always wear a helmet and very safe, so use a sidewalk."

New state legislation could also change how these vehicles are classified.

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